Wala Usik: Circular Economy Hackathon
WHAT IS THE HACKATHON ABOUT?
In this 4-day virtual event in August, we’ll help fifteen (15) teams to “hack Wala Usik” and pitch innovative concepts of circular products, packaging and systems, which: (1) design out waste and pollution, (2) keep materials in use, and (3) regenerate natural resources. Five (5) teams with the most innovative circular ideas will each receive a Php 100,000 prize along with a 2-month incubation program, to further firm up their business plans and make their ideas operational.
Wala Usik Challenge: A Circular Economy Hackathon is also a great opportunity to build a network of advocates, ideators, entrepreneurs and innovators working towards sustainability and a localized circular economy. In the process, we also hope to inspire consumers and the general public to support “Wala Usik”, a Hiligaynon/Bisaya phrase for circular design where ‘nothing is wasted’ and our natural ecosystems are thriving.
THEMES
Product Innovation
Products made of native, local and naturally compostable materials
Alternative packaging (e.g. bioplastics, edible wraps, dissolvable materials)
Reusable or refillable containers
Solid formats for traditionally liquid products
Equipment or device for refilling or any waste reduction approach (e.g. dispensers, vending machines)
Systems Innovation
Could be logistical, mechanical or digital
Safe and accessible refilling or reuse business models
Voluntary deposit return schemes
Apps or web-based platforms
Shared reuse systems and subscription services
Delivery mechanisms
Rental and repair business models
ELIGIBILITY
Teams must be composed of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 members, the majority of whom should be based in the Philippines. The team leader must be at least 18 years old, a Filipino citizen, and based in the Philippines at the time of the Challenge.
Concepts or ideas are preferred to be in the early stages of business development – minimum viable product prototyping, piloting, building a customer base, up to establishing a strong cash flow. Organizations and teams may pitch new ideas to build on their existing track record or existing network of zero-waste or circular initiatives. Ideas must be supported by a well-developed business concept/prototype and/or initial market validation.
All team members must be available to participate in the 4-day hack dates (August 27-30, 2021). Only official team members can present the pitch during judging. At least one team member must be available to participate in the pre- and post-hack virtual meetings and workshops throughout the Wala Usik Challenge, especially the business planning and incubation activities, with minimum of 4 hours a week from September-October 2021.
CRITERIA
Circularity: The innovation is designing out waste and pollution, keeping materials in use, regenerating natural resources, and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals – 30%
Innovativeness: The innovation demonstrates fresh, different, creative, disruptive approaches to tackling waste issues – 20%
Community Impact: The innovation is adapted and tailored to the local context, earning benefits for the community’s development, livelihood, climate resilience, and equal opportunity – 20%
Financial Sustainability: The innovation has the potential to be sustained financially – 10%
Community Support: The innovation has existing partners, investors, market reach and a network of support in the community where it is piloted – 10%
Replicability: The innovation has the potential to be replicated and/or scaled- 5%
Team Composition: The team behind the innovation is diverse and inclusive, and each member’s skills and abilities complement with those of others in the team – 5%
TIMELINE
Applications Open on Earth Day: 22 April 2021
Deadline of Applications: 6 August 2021
Announcement of 15 teams as finalists: 9 August 2021
Pre-Hack briefing and orientation meetings (per finalist team): to be scheduled between 10-20 August 2021
Hack Dates: 27-30 August 2021
Day 1-2: Hack Wala Usik – Input sessions and workshops to prepare the teams
Day 3: Wala Usik Challenge Junior Challenge for Circular Cities – side event for young innovators (with separate mechanics and details)
Day 4: Pitch Day
Business Planning Workshops and Incubation Program for the 5 winning teams: to be scheduled between 8 September to 9 October 2021 (Prize money of Php 100,000 for each winning team will be given in tranches tied to the participation in the incubation program which is valued separately at Php 300,000).
Wala Usik Challenge Winners Convention and Demo Day (live virtual event): 9 January 2021
PROJECT PARTNERS
This hackathon is organized by the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PRRCFI) for the ‘Rethinking Plastics – Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter’ project, co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ and Expertise France. Hosted in the cities of Bacolod and Talisay in the Philippines, the virtual events and the incubation program are in collaboration with the Design Thinking Factory, Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), Association of Negros Producers (ANP), Circulo, Save Philippine Seas, and the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-DTI Negros Occidental Center for DELIGHT (Design, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Innovation, Good Ideas, Human Development and Technology Transfer).